Two questions about the Marines

[thor44]

Two questions:
First, I am training for the USMC Physical and I have read in several places that it might be a good idea to buy some military boots to get ones feet used to strenuous exertion in them. (A thing most of us college fellows are not used to). Could anyone tell me what brand-name, make etc. that I should look for? Also what is the general price range?

Second, I have been talking to both the Marine Corps and the Air Force, now I realize that there is sure to be a lot of branch-to-branch mudslinging but I am just wondering which would offer a higher chance of becoming a pilot. This is assuming that one scores comparably on the two tests and that one is able to do well on the Marine physical. (I can already do the AF one, as I am sure most of you can

). Perhaps it would help if I were to narrow my question down to saying jet pilot.
In my search for info on the various military options I have become very impressed with the whole Marine officer system, I am just curious. (I am sure you have heard it too much but, I really want to fly)

If my question is too vague or poorly conceived or simply dumb just say so and feel free to make fun of another hopeful pink-bottomed flight dreamer!


Live Pure,
Right Wrong,
Speak True,
Follow the King,
Else Wherefore Born?

 

[kimphil]

Can't be college guy -- thor44 is too articulate.

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Mongol General: ...Conan, what is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!
Mongol General: That is good.

 

[thor44]

Hey kimphil, you got something against college gents? Actually, I will take your comment as a compliment, thanks. Anyone have any seeds of wisdom they would care to shower on me? Thanks in advance!

Live Pure,
Right Wrong,
Speak True,
Follow the King,
Else Wherefore Born?

 

[airgreg]

Thor,
Just a quick tip before the shrapnel starts flying. You may want to check out this link for more info on Air Force pilot stuff:
http://studentpilot.net/cf/msgboard/messageresultsp.cfm?RequestTimeout=500&ds=studentpilot&msgforumid=10

I have no idea on your first question about the boots. For an answer to your second question, I suggest you take a minute and learn about what the Air Force and Marine Corps actually do.

 

[kimphil]

I'm bored so I'll give this one a crack.

Disclaimer: I'd like to say this is my opinion, and I don't really know what I'm talking about, so I don't want to get mail saying I'm giving out bad gouge.

IMHO, your chances of being a jet pilot aren't good at all. Let's start with the Marine Corps.

1) Recently, selection to OCS has been absurdly competitive. That may be your hardest impediment to getting into the Marine Corps.

2) Assuming you get into OCS with an air contract, the attrition rates are quite high (I've heard the rate for the last class, OCC­­-183 was 40 percent). That's your next biggest impediment.

3) Assuming you've made it through OCS and TBS, and you don't attrite from flight school, the Marines (as well as the Navy and Coast Guard) simply need more helicopter pilots than fixed wing pilots (Helos need pilot and copilot; jets need only a pilot, hence there are always more people put into helos). Chances are, you'll probably end up as a helo pilot.

If you've read this forum for a while, you've probably heard this before but I think it needs to be repeated again -- You had better want to be a Marine first. Aviation, especially jets, is a bonus to being in the Marine Corps, not a privilege. Your wasting your time with the Marine Corps because there are so many ways you can f#$k up and end up doing financial management in the USMC (not that there's anything wrong with that)!

Nothing that I wrote is new to anyone who reads this forum regularly. This topic comes up again and again so I'm sure while most readers disagree with my politics, they'll back me up about the difficulty of getting jets in the USMC.

As far the AF, I'm sure that some airman can help you out about that. However, from what I hear, AF aviation is so competitive, that it's out of reach for most applicants. They want only people with technical degrees (from what I hear) and you practically need to be a private pilot to be considered. Of course, if you can overcome those obstacles, the AF has a lot more jets than the USMC. Your chances at jets would be better there.

As far as your question about the boots, your wasting your time with them.

1) Until you come up with a better rationalization than flying jets for the USMC, boots are not your biggest problem. From what I've read, I don't think the Marines are for you.

2) Get use to strenuous exercise now. Worry about your feet later. Any boots you buy now and break in will be useless at OCS. The Marines are switching to some tres chic digital cammies and the boots that go with them are not available (as far as I can tell) outside the Marine Corps. Tearing your feet up to run in boots that you can't use at OCS, just to repeat the process there, that just brutal!

If your goal is simply to fly jets, the Marine Corps is not the ideal service to do that. Try the Navy.
(just kidding! No flames!)

The Air Force is probably a better fit for you.

PS -- read this to understand the reference to college guy. http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/link.asp?TOPIC_ID=2360

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Mongol General: ...Conan, what is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!
Mongol General: That is good.

 

[thor44]

That link is funny stuff!

Thanks for the info thus far. As to my chances of becoming a pilot I want to thank you for your honest opinion.
First, I understand that the USMC wants Marine’s first and pilots second. That is, in fact what is drawing me towards the Marines in the first place. I freely acknowledge that I know less than nothing about these topics and that is why I am trying to find out everything I can.
Having said that, I think that I might have given the impression that I am a slouch. In fact I have played four years of college basketball for my NCAA D2 Erskine College. Now I know that this does not mean that I am ready for all that Marine training is going to throw at me (or even a part). But, I am not a stranger to strenuous physical activity. As I said I am training very seriously for the physical tests. I am on a weight-lifting regimen, I run (both speed work and distance), and I am working on my crunches and pull-ups daily.
I am getting my private pilot’s license this summer after graduation since, just as you said one simply needs it to be at all competitive (I will be using my Federal Student Loan money to pay for it). As to just wanting to be a jet pilot, I merely put that in my question to narrow it down. While I suppose that, given a free choice I would choose to fly jets, however, I would never snub my nose at any flying opportunity be it in a helo, or a prop powered fixed wing.
In fact the only thing I will challenge you on is that the AF only looks for tech degree people. From those I have talked to this does not seem to be the case. It appears that how you score on the AFOQT, BAT etc. combined with your overall package, GPA included is more important that what you majored in. Again I could be totally wrong and I would agree that if they had two candidates, both with equal qualifications except that one was a history major (as I am) and the other a tech major, they would go with the latter fellow.
So, I guess I could view all this info in one of two ways, either I could get very depressed and wallow in despair and say “There is no use, I might just as well give up trying. Too much work anyway.” Or I could take all this info and press on ahead, doing anything and everything in my power to increase my chances of reaching my dream. For me, there is not much of a contest, I shall stay the course.
Again, thanks for your help, and please, if anyone has any more info to share, do not hesitate to do it.


Live Pure,
Right Wrong,
Speak True,
Follow the King,
Else Wherefore Born?

 

[kimphil]

I didn't make any assumptions about how motivated you are. I just pointed out the fact that most pilots in the USMC fly helicopters, not jets. Just as a matter of probability, you'll likely end up in a helo. If that's okay with you, then go for the Marines. If you're never going to be happy unless you fly jets, then the Marines isn't for you.

Since you seem to be determined to be a Marine and can live with flying a helo, good luck.

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Mongol General: ...Conan, what is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!
Mongol General: That is good.

 

[1W2gtH]

Just a suggestion for the boots: Get a pair of cheap jungle boots at a surplus store and wear them. It is not so much to where the boot in, but build up your feet for OCS.

Serving with the best means being the best . . . Semper Fi

 

[wanaBpilot]

I'm in your shoes, got selected as sna for marine ocs, and hopefully one day I'll get my wings of gold. I just thought I'd let you know that the Navy has a similar program as the Marines, known as the BDCP. Its a program where you can get your sna selection, just like the marines. And you have a better chance of getting into a jet. Just to let you know that it is out there. Hope that helps.

-Every Challenge Could Have Paradise Behind It-

 

[jason12]

lol, you don't have a better chance of getting a jet by getting selected for BDCP pal, sorry to come down on ya like this but i would hope that all BDCP candidates don't think just because they're in that program they can get jets easier?!?!?! its all about flight school, and the grades you earn there.....the instructors don't give a **** what type of program you WERE in before you got to Pensacola, if you can't fly worth a crap you're not getting a jet regardless if you went to the Academy, Rotc, BDCP, PLC, or any other abbreviation.

"IF ONE ADVANCES CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS DREAMS,
AND ENDEAVORS TO LIVE THE LIFE WHICH HE HAS IMAGINED, HE WILL MEET WITH A SUCCESS UNEXPECTED IN COMMON HOURS."

 

[wanaBpilot]

I was under the impression that Navy had more jet positions than the Marines? Is that not true? I'm not talking about Pensacola, I'm talking about slots available in each branch. Do the Marines not have more helicopter positions than jets?

-Every Challenge Could Have Paradise Behind It-

 

[jason12]

the navy may have more jets than the marines but your grades are what is gonna determine what aircraft type you get, i mean if you have sub-par flight grades then you not gettin a jet, and as far as the latest info flowin down the old pipeline, the Marines are making people take jets as of now, who knows how long that will continue?!?!!? hopefully i'll be there while they still have that mentality....."aww man...do i HAVE to take the F-18" yea i'm sure i'll say just that

"IF ONE ADVANCES CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS DREAMS,
AND ENDEAVORS TO LIVE THE LIFE WHICH HE HAS IMAGINED, HE WILL MEET WITH A SUCCESS UNEXPECTED IN COMMON HOURS."

 

[wanaBpilot]

good to hear, I'd love to get into that F-18 also, how awesome would that be!!! Personally I'll be happy being in the air period. I was waived in with 20-40(minus two) for sna. Vision requirement is normally 20-40(minus zero) but they waived me in. I had 260 PFT and scored high for pilot on ASTB, so I'm counting my lucky stars that I got sna and not snfo right now!!! So being in the air, whether helo or jet, makes me a very, very happy man.

-Every Challenge Could Have Paradise Behind It-

 

[Adrenaline Rush]

I'll say "Give me anything that kills" haha seriously helos are awesome too, being at 50 ft dodging trees, i bet they get some nice special ops oportunities

"And on the 8th day the Marines took over the globe and have been runnin it ever since"

 

[Jeremy]

I am a marine. Got out as a sergeant in 2000 and am finishing my degree at UIC and trying to re-enter as an officer with flight status pending. I want helo's...nothing wrong with them; problem is I want Cobras specifically.

Cross my fingers,
Semper Fi,
-J